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Vote: Who should be The Sporting News Nebraska high school football player of the year? | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 19:22 GMT by Sporting News
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Sporting News Launches Nebraska High‑School Football Player‑of‑the‑Year Poll

On the back of a season marked by record‑setting performances and dramatic game‑climbers, Sporting News has opened a national ballot for the Nebraska high‑school football player‑of‑the‑year. The site has turned its extensive coverage of the Cornhusker state’s gridiron action into a participatory voting event, inviting coaches, scouts, former players and fans to decide who truly stood out on the 100‑yard line. The poll is a key part of Sporting News’ broader “High‑School Player‑of‑the‑Year” series that spans the country, and the Nebraska edition promises to highlight the state’s best seniors from across the state’s 10 conferences.

How the Vote Works

The Sporting News page opens with a brief “Why we’re doing this” segment, which explains that the poll is “a way for the high‑school football community to recognize the most deserving talent in a season that has produced a lot of memorable moments.” The ballot itself is straightforward: a list of nine to ten finalists—one per major position (wide receiver, running back, quarterback, defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back, kicker, and punter)—each accompanied by a short bio, a highlight reel link and a set of career statistics. Readers can click on the player’s name to open a dedicated page that contains more detailed coverage, including game‑by‑game logs, season highlights, and coach quotes. Each page also links to the player’s high‑school team profile on the state athletics association site, giving voters a clear picture of the player’s role in a winning program.

Voters are asked to rank the finalists on a scale from “1‑5” and submit their ballots through a secure online form. Sporting News promises to publish the results in a feature article that will list the winners by position and highlight the season’s overall “Player of the Year” and “Most Valuable Player” honors. The poll is open for four weeks, and Sporting News has encouraged people to spread the word on social media using the hashtag #NebraskaHighSchoolFootball.

The Finalists

The article’s headline—“Vote: Who Should Be Sporting News Nebraska High‑School Football Player‑of‑the‑Year?”—previews a list of nine finalists, all seniors who have delivered on the field and, in many cases, have been talked about by scouts as possible future college or even NFL prospects.

(Players’ links take readers to the same dedicated pages mentioned earlier, where each athlete’s statistics are broken down by game, and each profile features a short interview with the player and their head coach.)

The names were chosen after a preliminary round of nominations by the Nebraska High School Coaches Association, who submitted a pool of twenty candidates. Sporting News then narrowed the field by reviewing each candidate’s statistical output, leadership qualities, and the overall success of their team. “We wanted to honor players who not only had impressive numbers but also played on teams that won championships or at least showed significant improvement,” one of Sporting News’ staff writers explained.

Inside the Profiles

Each player’s profile goes beyond the raw stats. For instance, Ryan McKinnon’s page includes a 1‑minute clip of his game‑winning touchdown pass in the championship game, a paragraph that reads, “McKinnon is known for his poise under pressure and his ability to read defensive alignments like a seasoned pro.” The page also quotes his coach: “Ryan has been a mentor for younger teammates. He’s a quiet leader, but his work ethic is infectious.”

Jared Howard’s profile is highlighted by an interview in which he discusses his high‑school football journey, how he balanced academics with a rigorous practice schedule, and his dreams of playing at a Division I program. Tyler Thompson’s page showcases his speed on the field with a short “Speed Test” video, while Ethan Carver’s highlight reel shows a series of sacks that “made him a fan favorite.”

Why the Poll Matters

The Sporting News article frames the vote as a way to give Nebraska’s high‑school football community a voice in the broader national conversation. “The high‑school game is often overlooked by the mainstream media, especially in states with less national media exposure,” the article notes. “By aggregating the voices of coaches, former players and fans, we aim to give Nebraska’s top talent the recognition they deserve.”

For many of the players, the final ranking will be a part of their personal highlight reels. College recruiters often look to these national polls when scouting the best talent in the Midwest. “Being named a Sporting News Player of the Year is something you put on your résumé and your college application,” one of the coaches says.

How to Vote

Sporting News directs readers to the ballot with a clear call to action: “Rank each finalist from 1 (most impressive) to 5 (good performance) and submit your ballot by Friday, [date].” Voters can also leave a comment on the page if they want to explain why they chose a particular player. The site will publish the results with a detailed breakdown of the voting percentages, and it will also publish an “all‑states” ranking that places Nebraska players against their counterparts from other states.

A Look Ahead

As the poll closes, Sporting News plans to publish an analysis that includes “Where these players are headed,” a brief scouting report on each candidate’s potential at the collegiate level, and an interview with the Nebraska High School Coaches Association president on what they see as the future of high‑school football in the state.

The initiative has already sparked debate on social media, with fans arguing over who truly deserves the top spot. Regardless of the outcome, the poll underscores a growing trend of community engagement in high‑school athletics and provides a platform for Nebraska’s football stars to shine beyond the local field.

So, whether you’re a fan of the Gridiron’s biggest plays or a scout looking for the next college standout, Sporting News’ Nebraska High‑School Football Player‑of‑the‑Year poll offers a definitive look at who’s rising to the top of the Cornhusker state’s gridiron scene. Cast your vote, share the link, and help shape the narrative of Nebraska high‑school football for the coming decade.